JUDGE SLAMS DURHAM SOCIAL SERVICES OVER BLUNDER

Durham social service's error in 'forgetting' about a teenage burglar placed in their care could be repeated across...

Durham social service's error in 'forgetting' about a teenage burglar placed in their care could be repeated across the region, the judge who heard the case said, reported the Newcastle Journal (Aug 26, p8,14) and the Newcastle Chronicle (Aug 26, p7).

The 16-year-old had been released into the care of Durham CC by magistrates last June after being arrested for burglary. He was then sent home because there were no beds available at any council-run hostel.

For the two months he was home no social worker had been to see him.

Manager of Durham youth justice team David Summers said that this sort of thing has not happened before, and assured the court that it could not happen again.

But Judge Crawford said: 'This doesn't seem to be an isolated case. In Newcastle and Durham, the degree of care seems, in too many cases, to be zilch.'

The Chartered Institute for Public Finance & Accountancy has postponed controversial plans to publish a “league table” of councils’ financial sustainability following uproar within the sector at the plans, LGC has learned.

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